Guyana, Brazil in critical meeting - Hydro-power facility, Lethem Road dominate talks

February 22, 2013, By KNews, Filed Under News, Source

Guyana and Brazil are locked in two days of meetings as plans to finalise a number of major collaborations move closer to fruition.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Guyana-Brazil Working Group on Infrastructure Projects in Guyana – started Wednesday and centred on the construction of a major hydro-electric plant and a Guyana/Brazil road.

The outcome of the discussions by the two sides will result in concrete proposals being submitted to the respective Heads of State by June 2013, highlighting a specific timeline for implementation, the ministry said.

Also set for discussion at the International Convention Centre, were details of the transmission lines from the hydro-electric plant and a deep water port.

The Guyanese delegation is headed by Winston Brassington, Chairman of the Working Group, while the Brazilian team is being led by Ambassador Clemente Baena Soares, Director of the Department of South America and Ministry of External Relations of Brazil. Also there were Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Foreign Affairs (acting), Robeson Benn and Representative of the Roraima Group, Sergio Pillon.

Minister Singh spoke of Brazil’s power as a global economic giant and how the establishment of the Takutu Bridge, provided it with the opportunity to benefit from its proximity with the country.

Representatives of Guyana and Brazil during the opening session of the two-day meeting.

He said with the bridge, the Georgetown-Lethem road and the new awareness of the northern states of the investment opportunities that are available or can arise in Guyana, the time was opportune for the two-countries to seek to benefit from the prospects for development available.

“I believe that we are now at a time when it will be fair to say these opportunities are ripe for harvesting. Given the level of recognition and awareness of opportunities for investment in Guyana by Brazilian companies…it behoves all of us on both sides to re-double our effort to realise this potential that has been spoken of for a long time,” he said.

For Minister Benn, the meeting is a signal of the commitment by both countries’ leaders towards advancing bilateral cooperation which will ultimately lead to the improvement of lives for the respective citizens of the two countries.

Outlining the infrastructure projects that are being discussed, Minister Benn said, “The projects offer investors from both countries’ opportunities to reduce high port and energy cost and offer employment and investment opportunities for Guyanese and Brazilians alike.”

He said that it is envisioned that these cooperation projects will ensure energy security for future generations, and create critical economic partnerships, particularly with trade and transport services. “The Government of Guyana is therefore pleased to partner with Brazil to advancing these projects to reality,” he stated.

Minister Benn also indicated government’s gratitude for the continued commitment demonstrated by the Brazilian Government in cooperating with Guyana at the bilateral level and international levels in the pursuit of common synergies towards providing a better quality of life for both countries’ citizens.

Ambassador Soares expressed hope that the outcome of the discussions will result in a joint report reflective of the concerns of both countries, and an orientation as to the way forward for the infrastructure projects in Guyana. He also pledged Brazil’s commitment to the joint development of the two countries.

Meanwhile Representative of the Roraima Group, Seigio Pillon also pinpointed the Takutu Bridge as the pioneer activity that commenced the dream of realising the possibility for development between the two countries. He said that Brazil would like to see the economic and social integration of Guyana as a sister country.

Brazil understandably would want the road through Guyana as it will provide a much shorter route to the Atlantic Ocean, thus easing shipping time. It is the plan that container trucks will use the road to either a port in the city or altogether a new one.

Neighbouring Brazil, because of its vastness, has been examining several options of easing its shipping woes, with the Linden/Lethem Road being a highly attractive one.

They have offered to help fund the construction of the road. Already, a bridge across the Takutu River, which separates Guyana from Brazil, has been built, and vehicles using the outlying state of Boa Vista have been gladly utilizing it. Lethem has been reporting increased trade since the bridge was commissioned in late 2009.

The current 265-mile Linden/Lethem trail has been known to become impassable in rainy times, halting activities of miners, forestry operators and residents who would use it. It is filled with river crossings and ruts and there have been calls to pave it. But this will prove an expensive venture for the Guyana government alone.

Brazil had signaled its intentions as early as three years ago to help fund a 220-megawatt hydro power project near the border with Guyana. Brazil would purchase around100 megawatts to help power some of its northernmost areas, closest to Guyana.

With the high prices of gold in recent years, Guyana has been seeing an influx of Brazilians in especially the mining districts. In the city, there have been a number of Brazilian businesses springing up. It is estimated that over 15,000 Brazilians live and work in Guyana.